Parlando: The COC Blog

8/18/2014

Summer Catch-up with the Ensemble Studio

Artists of the 2013/2014 COC Ensemble Studio. Photo: Karen Reeves

This week we welcome the young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio back from their summer vacation! We caught up with a few of them recently to find out what they've been up to during their time off. Between cruising in Cyprus, touring Tel Aviv and boot-stomping in Bowmanville, their combined travels have taken them to three continents! Safe to say, our Ensemble Studio members have kept themselves very busy!

Andrew Haji and Clarence Frazer

Sulmona, Italy is always a popular summer destination for our Ensemble Studio members and alumni. Not only is it a beautiful and historic town in the Abruzzi region, it is also the location of the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy (COSI). This summer, tenor Andrew Haji and baritone Clarence Frazer spent part of June and July there, working on a production of La Bohème. Andrew sang the role of Rodolfo, while Clarence took on the role of Marcello.

Clarence Frazer sings the role of Marcello in La Bohème at COSI.

When Clarence attended COSI last summer, he had this to say about the program:

Andrew and Clarence return to the Ensemble Studio for a second season this fall. Catch Clarence in the COC’s production of Madama Butterfly, and both singers in the Ensemble Studio performance of The Barber of Seville next May.

Iain MacNeil

New Ensemble Studio member, bass-baritone Iain MacNeil, kicked off a busy, jet setting summer by competing in the Stella Maris International Vocal Competition, a seaborne vocal competition for rising young opera stars. Aboard the M.S. Europa cruise ship, he travelled from Larnaca, Cyprus to Venice, Italy, with stops in Turkey, Greece and Croatia along the way. “It was the experience of a lifetime,” says Iain.

View of the Mediterranean coastline in Turkey from the M.S. Europa. Photo: Iain MacNeil

Following a visit with friends in Suloma, Italy and a return to Toronto, Iain flew back to Europe to participate in Barocktage Stift Melk, a baroque festival in Melk, Austria. (Fun fact: Its artistic director is acclaimed Canadian tenor and COC favourite Michael Schade!). Melk is known for its beautiful Baroque abbey where Iain had a chance to perform. Following his European travels, Iain headed back to Canada for the St. Andrews Arts Council Opera Workshop in St. Andrews by-the-sea, New Brunswick.

But it wasn’t all work and no play for Iain this summer. He hit the road on his motorcycle for Halifax, making stops in Lake Placid, New York; Conway, New Hampshire; and Bangor, Maine. There was one unexpected stop, however. “A stray nail on the highway landed me in Moncton for a night while the tire on my motorcycle was replaced, but here I discovered that Moncton has a wealth of live music to offer - even on a Monday night.” But Iain’s highlight of the summer was seeing folk icon James Taylor perform live in Maine. “At 66 years old, he's still got it all, apart from the hair.”

The White Mountains in New Hampshire. Photo: Iain MacNeil

So what is Iain looking forward to for the rest of the summer? “I must say that I'm looking forward to finally crossing the Causeway into Cape Breton - after living in Halifax for four years, it's been a long time coming - and exploring the Cabot Trail on the motorcycle. Above all, however, I'm anxiously awaiting the beginning of the season at the COC!”

You can see Iain in the COC’s upcoming productions of Madama Butterfly and The Barber of Seville.

Jennifer Szeto

It’s certainly an eventful time to be visiting Israel but that hasn’t stopped pianist Jennifer Szeto from having an amazing experience in Tel Aviv. She is a staff pianist for the International Vocal Arts Institute’s production of Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio. “The program has been a phenomenal experience so far - one could not ask for a more dedicated community of faculty, administrators and opera lovers,” says Jennifer.

When she’s not busy with the production, Jennifer has been soaking up everything Tel Aviv has to offer. “One couldn't describe the beauty and vibrancy of Tel Aviv in just a few words. The city is a paradise for foodies - everything is fresh and flavorful here,” says Jennifer. “I could spend a lifetime (and all subsequent pay cheques) navigating its endless cafés and restaurants!”

As for the rest of the summer, Jennifer looks forward to some time off in Montreal before settling into Toronto. As the Ensemble Studio’s new intern coach, she’ll serve as a rehearsal pianist for Madama Butterfly, Die Walküre and The Barber of Seville.

Owen McCausland

Third year Ensemble Studio tenor Owen McCausland spent seven weeks of his summer attending the Chautauqua Institution Voice Department, an intensive training program for young singers in Upstate New York. While there, he performed the title role in a production of Massenet’s Werther on July 17. He also worked on some COC assignments while he was there, in preparation for the fall.

When he’s not singing, Owen can be found road biking or playing beach volleyball. The native New Brunswicker is also taking time to visit friends and family on the East Coast.

Owen can be seen in the COC’s Ensemble Studio performance of The Barber of Seville next May.

Charlotte Burrage

When returning mezzo-soprano Charlotte Burrage isn’t busy learning five roles for the COC’s upcoming season, she’s been taking time to connect with friends and family. In addition to pool parties at her family’s home in Sweaburg, Ontario, Charlotte is looking forward to visiting the Creemore Springs brewery this August for her dad’s birthday. “We’re a Creemore-loving family!” says Charlotte.

Charlotte (left) and her sister Alana walking the red carpet at the Pants Off for Prostate Cancer event in June.

Over the August long weekend, the entire Burrage family broke out their cowboy hats for the Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Bowmanville, Ontario. The popular country music festival boasted a line-up of superstars like Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton and more. “My sister and I are going shopping at Madam Vintage to get our cute ‘80s cowboy-chic outfits for the weekend! Should be an adventure!”

When Charlotte returns to the COC this fall, you can spot her in our productions of Die Walküre and The Barber of Seville (Ensemble Studio performance)

Artist Basics: Gerald Finley

Upon first glance, you may be a bit skeptical that the fit baritone who is tackling Mount Kilimanjaro this summer, could convincingly play opera's most famous glutton, but recently appointed Officer of the Order of Canada's Gerald Finley is more than up to the challenge!

What he's doing with us: Gerald Finley returns to the Canadian Opera Company for the first time in over 20 years to make his role debut as the slovenly, hedonistic and hilarious Falstaff in a co-production with Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Teatro alla Scala; Metropolitan Opera and Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam.

Where you might have seen him: In Europe! Grammy and Juno-award winner Gerald Finley is one of the most recognizable baritones on the international opera scene. While he spends a lot of his time in Europe at houses like the Royal Opera House, Bavarian State Opera and Venice State Opera, he crosses the pond occasionally to appear at the Metropolitan Opera and has an upcoming role in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Tannhäuser in early 2015.

While he's known for his interpretations of basically all of Mozart's baritone roles, Gerald has also made a name for himself in creating some of most popular leading roles in contemporary opera, most notably, the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer in John Adam’s Doctor Atomic, and more recently, Howard K. Stern in Mark Anthony Turnage's world premiere of Anna Nicole. Gerald is also a popular recitalist and released a new album this spring, tackling Schubert's winter song cycle Winterreise with pianist Julius Drake.